Rohit Sharma: 'CSK defeat an aberration; MI will bounce back'

The Mumbai Indian skipper defended pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah who went for 37 runs in the opening game against Chennai.

Published : Apr 09, 2018 21:54 IST , MUMBAI

Mumbai Indians' skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praise on young leg-spinner Mayank Markande.
Mumbai Indians' skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praise on young leg-spinner Mayank Markande.
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Mumbai Indians' skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praise on young leg-spinner Mayank Markande.

Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Rohit Sharma believes Hardik Pandya would be fit and available for the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 12.

Pandya had to be carried off the field after the all-rounder hurt his ankle, trying to steal a second run against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

"He’s looking good now. He twisted his ankle, but he bowled four overs. We have three days before the next match and I think he will be fine," Sharma said at a promotional event for Adidas' latest arrival 'AlphaBounce Beyond'.

Recalling the last three overs from the opening encounter against CSK, Sharma said, "Everyone saw what happened. There were certain things that we did not do right in the pressure situation. We were in the game till the 17th over, and in the last three overs, the game drifted away from us.

"At the Wankhede, it is always difficult to contain the batsmen once they are set. With the dew and all those factors, it is very hard for the bowlers, but that is not an excuse."

Sharma also defended Jasprit Bumrah - figures of 1 for 37 - who had an average day with the ball. "Bumrah is one of the highest rated Indian death bowlers. Anyone can have a bad day," Sharma said before adding, "We know it is not the end of the world and MI have always lost the first game and won the title. I hope it is the same this year."

READ: IPL lit up by Markande googlies

Sharma looks at young leg-spinner Mayank Markande - figures of 3 for 23 - as a wicket-taking option. "I played against him in the nets a few times. He has got great control over whatever he does, and so, I think going forward he will be a great weapon for us. He has got great skills.

READ: Mahela heaps praise on Markande

"For us, me and Mahela (Jayawardene) as captain and coach, we just have to be supportive of this guy. He has got everything that he needs to be successful at the highest level."

A special milestone

Talking about the No. 400 displayed on his and Dwayne Bravo’s jersey, Kieron Pollard said, "It is just something that (Dwayne) Bravo and I came up with; he is the first bowler in T20 cricket to take 400 wickets, and I am the only player so far to play 400 matches.

"Being able to play 400 matches, I think that in itself is a milestone in a format in which none of us thought how much we would end up playing when we started our career in cricket."

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